Definition

1. Noun:
   • A literary sketch or personal essay: A short, reflective piece of prose that expresses the author's personal observations, feelings, and thoughts on a subject, often in a casual, intimate, and lyrical style. It blends elements of autobiography, reflection, and description.
   • A genre of creative nonfiction: A recognized literary form, distinct from formal essays or reportage, characterized by its subjective perspective and artistic expression.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Nhà văn nổi tiếng với những tác phẩm tuỳ bút về miền quê. (The writer is famous for his literary sketches about the countryside.)
  • Tôi thích đọc tuỳ bút vì nó cho thấy cảm xúc thật của tác giả. (I enjoy reading personal essays because they show the author's genuine emotions.)
  • Tập sách là một tuyển tập tuỳ bút hay nhất của bà. (The book is a collection of her best essays.)

Advanced Usage

• The term can sometimes imply a piece written with a sense of spontaneity and freedom, following the writer's whims ("tuỳ" meaning "according to" and "bút" meaning "pen").
• In academic or literary criticism, "tuỳ bút" is analyzed as a genre that captures fleeting impressions and profound personal insights.

Variants and Related Words

• Bút ký (n): A memoir or reportage; often more factual or narrative-driven than a , but the terms can sometimes overlap.
• Tản văn (n): A short, informal essay; similar to but can be even more brief and fragmented.

Synonyms

• Literary sketch: A short, evocative prose piece.
• Personal essay: A subjective, reflective nonfiction work.
• Informal essay: A prose composition on a subject, treated in a personal, conversational style.

Related Idioms

• While there are no direct idioms using "tuỳ bút", the concept is related to the phrase:
  • "The pen follows the heart": This captures the essence of tuỳ bút writing, where the prose flows from personal feeling and observation.